Here are the Android 5.1 factory images for Nexus devices, and a guide to using them

Google has released the first batch of factory images for the newly-announced Android 5.1 Lollipop for most capable Nexus devices.

Currently there are factory images available for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7 2012 (Wifi and 3G), Nexus 7 2013 (Wifi and LTE), Nexus 10 and even Nexus Player — but we're still waiting on the Nexus 9, sadly.

As we reported earlier, Android 5.1 brings support for multiple SIMs and cross-platform HD Voice, along with Device Protection which ties your Android device to your Google account and prevents unwanted access to your device even if it goes through a factory reset. Additionally, there are some tweaks to quick settings for easier control over Bluetooth and WiFi network switching.

If you happen to own one of the aforementioned devices, feel free to hit up the links below to grab the factory images and start flashing away. Speaking of flashing, check out our comprehensive guide on the process for a step-by-step guide to flashing your Nexus device with the latest firmware.

am I missing something?... I've had 5.1 on my Nexus 7 (2012 Wi-Fi) for quite some time now... last update check was 21 March, but I flashed the image a little while before that... is this something different? because its the same build LMY47D.

I an using Nexus 5 phone and today I upgraded to Android 5.1 (Lollipop) OS. On opening the contacts, I have been getting the message "Contact List is being updated" with no contacts in the contact List. This has been happening for last 6-7 hours and I have tried to switch of and restrat the phone. However, on opening the Contacts Icon, I get the same message.

Android 4.4 was sooooo much better than 5.1. Android 5.01 and 5.02 were in the toilet. When is google going to get it right and give me back a OS like 4.4 ? Will they ever be able to give me an OS like 4.4. I am so frustrated with android I wonder what possessed me to buy one.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I would like comment that with the latest 5.1 update it has messed up my phone connectivity. Also the issue with storage but that's not what bugs me!! So after the update finish I noticed my 4g LTE or WiFi was going extremely slow and could barely load, almost reminded me of 3g speeds. But I can't even stream thru WiFi do to having issues getting good connection and even with 4g on it will just tell me I have a network issue here and there while using my phone!!! This needs to be fixed, o don't know if I am the only one since I haven't really seen much of what I am describing.

I have a nexus 7 2012 that my 2 year old uses for games and videos. I put 5.1 on it and it really is a huge improvement. It doesn't have the hardware to preform with today's tablets, but it did breathe some life back into it.

I'm with you. I installed all the BS on two different computers, got the USB working, reboot, enter recovery - BOOM adb sideload doesn't see the flippin' phone. It's not this 'effin hard, but I give up, OTA for me too.

And before someone tries to get snarky, this isn't my first OTA/Factory rodeo. The computer (PC) cannot see the phone (USB) once I reboot into recovery.

I side loaded 5.1 on my Nexus 5 last night to fix some of the bugs I've been having. It went on smooth, but there I have a couple of apps misbehaving. Dolphin Browser with JetPack enabled will no load any sites. K9 Email crashes when doing a multi select on messages. Besides those two everything seems to be running ok.

One thing still not fixed is the WiFi Authentation Error. I'm still getting it when TiBackup does it system backup. It is easier to fix now with the Dropdown under the quick settings.

Aight got it running (OTA images kept on causing probs on sideloading and then noticed those and they worked out of the box), my question is however:
If I have this new security option - phone tied to my google account. Won't someone be able to flash a new rom and override this change?

Lollipop ran like crap on my 2012 Nexus 7. I went all the way back to Jelly Bean and it runs like a dream again. I am not sure why Google is pushing updates to the 2012 anymore. It's like people care more about the new OS than how the device actually runs.

Actually, I do know. It's just like when Apple pushes its update to the oldest phone. They know it will run like crap and more often than not get you to upgrade.

I can confirm that lollipop 5.1 improves performance drastically on the Nexus 7 2012. Not OTA but the full factory image is what you want. I did a full factory reset and installed 5.1 and everything is buttery smooth. Well, compared to what it was before :-) so far so good

My N7 2012 seems to be running 'tighter' on 5.1 if that is a word. First hour last night was a bit laggy. But this morning it's much better. Seems more polished. Looking to flash my N10 this am to stop the random rebooting that was frequent on 5.02.

I can confirm as well that lollipop 5.1 factory image is buttery smooth on the Nexus 7 2012. Downloading OTA is not what you want with this tablet. Full factory image is what makes the difference. Still testing but it has been a week with no trouble. Stay away from the Facebook app for the time being, Just using browser anyway :-)

I love my nexus 10 still... I haven't found anything that doesn't look and run great on it... granted I'm still on Jellybean. I've been waiting for a decent lolipop version for it... Here's to hoping 5.1 may be it. I've held off on my nexus 10 because I use it to play arcane legends and many of the comments from other n10 users made me wait. I'm going to do a full factory reset and flash on it when I eventually goto 5.x I've decided as well.

What choice does one have? I have purchased the international versions of phones before, but they come without any warranty whatsoever. The only logical choice for Americans is to purchase through the carrier, which like you are saying, will get updated at a much slower rate than the unlocked Samsungs.

You're wrong... the logical choice is to get a nexus unlocked phone and put it on Tmobile 30/month plan! (or another carrier that allows freedom) The be happy getting the latest android update every time and watch while samsung phones locked to a carrier take months or years to get an update... along with tons of more new bloat ware you don't need ofc!

Yeah but beside that Android OS updates always pop up unfinished so there is 5.00 then 5.0 1 because bugs then 5.02 great! so now 5.1 ,5.2, 5.3 and so on that its impossible for OEMs keep it up with the updates just because google-android OS is always unreliable or unfinished .

My iTerd just got the 8.2....yes... (.2) yesterday. 8.1 fixed the fuck ups in 8 on release day then then 8.2 to fix what 8.1 didn't. 8.3 is coming soon as well to fix "everything" 8.2 didn't. So yeah, iOS, according to finanandroid, is 100% perfect! :)

I have a '12 N7 and when I updated to Lollipop and did a factory reset, it runs surprisingly well. Goes to show no two devices are ever the same. And yeah, obviously doesn't compare to the' 13 N7 by a long shot, but all considered I'm pretty happy with my 2+ year old tablet.

It probably is. I know ATT has a separate partition just to load that amazingly annoying startup sound that can't be silenced unless you root the phone and remove the jingle. I rooted my phone just to take that off and then put it back to stock. It's crazy how they honestly believe people want to hear that every time their phone starts. Hey people would probably love a bright blinding white screen along with a very loud startup..... I'm digressing.

All these startup animations from the carriers (especially AT&T and T-Mobile) paired with the ridiculous jingles are beyond annoying. Hats off to you! I'd do the same thing if I had one of those phones.

The Nexus 7 (2013) runs on an S4 Pro!? Holy crap, I completely forgot about that.. My N7 runs nice, albeit not amazingly smooth. But for an almost 2 year old device, it's been holding up really fuckn well. (As opposed to my 2012 N7, which was a disaster after 6 or so months)

I've been running Kit-Kat though, so that might be what's been helping it run so good. But 5.1 is running nicely on my N5, so I'm definitely going to be upgrading once that image pops up.

As a Nexus 10 owner I too wonder the same thing. It's nice the tablet is still getting updates even as its starting to show its age, but I have a feeling since we are already missing some "features", Lollipop will be the last major update it gets.